Almost no one thinks of it, but when you drive your automatic transmission car, you're master over your car’s torque converter.
That's because torque converters transfer the power your car engine makes to the transmission in your car. Hence, you've commanded your torque converter every time your car shifted gears. The torque converter is so essential to the global car market there’s a global torque converter market.
The global torque converter market continues to grow and expand at a CAGR of 4.54%, which is projected until 2021. This is due in part to the technological advances in torque converters. Torque converter problems have a high impact on your car's ability to function and drive.
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Once your torque converter starts failing, you need to be knowledgeable about what torque converter problems will disable your car? You also need to move forward with viable options that will help you get your torque converter fixed. The information below will outline the most common torque converter issues and their solutions.
Torque Converter and Transmissions
Your torque converter is full of fluid, and its job is to act as a hydraulic pump and acts as a coupling between the engine and the transmission. Many times, people think there is something wrong with their transmission when the problem lies with their torque converter. The confusion stems from the symptoms of a failing transmission, and a failing torque converter is very similar and linked.
Automatic Transmission - Torque Converter Has Five Important Parts
Your car's automatic transmission has a torque converter. The torque converter is made up of five parts:
1. Stator
The stator is called the middleman. The stator is called the middleman because it serves as the conduit that reverses transmission fluid and sends it back to a turbine impeller.
2. Impeller Pump
The impeller pump receives the transmission fluid once it's delivered. The impellers spun by the engine's crankshaft. The faster it spins, the more force it provides, which causes the fluid to flow faster and harder.
3. Turbine
The turbine has a spline that attaches to the transmission input shaft, which connects to the internal parts of the transmission to shift gears and provide power to the wheels.
4. Clutch
Most Torque Converters today also use a friction clutch to lock up the converter at higher speeds to create more fuel efficiency and less slip.
5. Fluid
The transmission fluid is an important part of the torque converter in that it is used to provide the fluid coupling and smooth starts and without stalling the engine when the vehicle is stopped in gear.
The good news is, if it is just your torque converter that is having issues since it's a self-contained unit, you may not need to replace or rebuild your whole transmission. Torque converters can be serviced or replaced as a single unit.
Torque Converter Problems
There are many different types of torque converter problems. The problems come in many sizes, shapes, and forms. But the most common torque converter problems are listed below.
1. Slipping
Have you ever gotten in your car, started it up, put it in gear only to feel it shudder? Your car shudders almost as if it's caught the flu and has a temperature. But this shuttering is not caused by a disease.
A malfunctioning torque converter can have a shudder that comes from the transmission. The slipping occurs while you're driving or changing gears, and it usually comes with some odd noises too. Remember, a torque converter is a coupler between the engine and transmission.
Remember, a torque converter is a coupler between the engine and transmission. Its job is to smoothly convert engine torque into hydraulic pressure that your transmission uses to engage and shift gears. When the torque converter starts malfunctioning, you may feel shuddering and even slipping in overdrive.
2. Shuddering
You usually notice your car shuddering because it feels like it's vibrating. Your car will vibrate even when you’re not going very fast. The shuddering makes the car lag and is very noticeable.
3. Overheating
Some vehicles have a transmission temperature indicator that will let you know when your car's transmission is overheating. If your car transmission keeps overheating, you may also notice your transmission starts to act funny, or it may even go into fail date and stay in one gear and not shift at all. When the two problems are combined, it could mean your torque converter is failing.
The end result is the torque converter isn't able to transfer that power completely and efficiently from the engine to the transmission.
4. Your Transmission Fluid is Contaminated
Being a fluid coupler, your car's torque converter relies on transmission fluid to operate correctly. If the fluid becomes contaminated, anything that uses and relies on the fluid can be damaged. Contaminated transmission fluid can cause damage to your converter parts and your transmissions parts.
5. Torque Seal Damage
Torque converter seals can get damaged for several reasons. But once they are damaged, you will experience fluid leaks. When you experience fluid leaks, you aren't retaining the amount of transmission fluid; the torque converter needs to transfer the power from the engine to the transmission. This will cause damage to both the transmission and the converter.
How to Fix the Above Five Torque Converter Issues
There are tried and true methods for fixing the five common torque converter issues.
1. and 2. What to Do to Fix Slipping or Shuddering
Your first course of action, if you notice your transmission or torque converter has started to slip or shudder is checking your fluid level. You can't be sure the slipping or shuddering has anything to do with your torque converter until you check your fluid levels. Remember, you don't experience either symptom unless you have the wrong amount of fluid or the wrong fluid in the transmission.
3. and 5. What to Do to Fix Overheating and Seal Damage
It's when you have a damaged torque converter seal that fluid leaks out and causes the overheating and damage. It is the lack of fluid that causes overheating, slipping, or shuddering. To fix the problem, you need to discover the seal that's damaged and have it replaced.
4. What to Do to Fix Your Contaminated Transmission Fluid
When you have contaminated transmission fluid that has bits of this and that in it This is an indication that you have bigger problems inside the converter or transmission. Clutch material, bearing and bushing pieces, and a shiny metal flake appearance will be an indicator that things are coming apart inside. This is a red flag that lets you know you may need an expert to repair it for you.
The Future Torque Converter
You've now repaired or replaced your torque converter if it exhibited any of the above common torque converter problems. There is more demand in today's market for increased comfort and safety in cars. That includes the advanced manufacturing technology being used in optimizing torque converters.
The torque converter, with its multiple elements, is being manufactured with an eye towards the future. The torque converter of the future will have a carefully tuned control strategy, which takes into account the torque demands of each vehicle. It will also integrate that knowledge with what type of car and transmission consumers are buying.
The result will be every car will have efficient, smooth, and comfortable rides. Reach out to your local AAMCO transmission center when you’re ready for your efficient, smooth and worry-free ride.
Step by Step Directions to Drain a Torque Converter.
Since a Torque Converter, (T-Converter) is your transmission’s number one assistant, a well cared for T-Converter makes for a happy transmission. A misbehaving T-Converter can cause transmission slippage, stalling, strange noises and much more serious damage to the vehicle’s transmission. Over time, debris from disintegrating internal moving parts can contaminate the transmission oil and prevent the T-Converter from working effectively, thereby causing transmission damage. Taking the extra step to include a good flush of the T-Converter is a good idea since it is not normally included in a standard transmission oil change. A T-Converter’s purpose is to assist the vehicle’s automatic transmission to perform well and provide a smooth and carefree shifting experience between gears. A flush of the T-Converter can be a quick and easy process, however certain vehicle models can present some challenges. It all depends on the type of connections on the vehicle’s transmission oil connector lines. Revit 2018 product key.
Let’s start by checking the transmission oil to determine if your vehicle’s T-Converter’s oil needs to be flushed. If Debris particles are found upon inspection of the transmission oil, then chances are the transmission and T-Converter needs an oil change. By being Pro-active you can extehnd the life of the transmission, instead of procrastinating and incurring expensive repairs. Let’s take a detailed look at how to Drain a T-Converter’s oil.
Tools needed to complete the job:
Bucket (oil drainage)
Funnel
Flare tool (depends on make and model)
Transmission oil (Extra oil will be needed)
Socket wrench
Screw Driver
Vehicle’s manual
Step 1
There are 2 methods of preforming this task. (depends on vehicle make/model. Refer to the vehicle’s manual to determine the method to preform.)
Method a. Disconnect the transmission cooling line. (Usually connected to the radiator but check the car’s manual for your vehicle’s specific location.)
Verify the tools needed to remove the vehicle’s cooling line by referring to the car’s manual, a flare tool may be needed. The engine flex plate may need to be removed to gain access to the transmission ‘return‘ cooling line. The position and type of cooling lines can vary depending on vehicle’s makes/models. There are two lines connected to the transmission. One is the cooler line and the other is called the return line. You will be disconnecting the return line. Check your manual to determine which line is the return line for your vehicle’s make/model.
Method b. On some models the oil will be drained directly from T-Converter “bell housing”. The next step would be to locate the T-Converter. Usually, the T-Converter can be found between the transmission drain pan and the engine flex plate on the car’s undercarriage. Rotate the T-Converter until you are able to view the hex nut opening. Once locating the Hex opening, use the appropriate sized Hex tool to unscrew the hex until the oil plug is completely removed.
Step 2
Place a bucket or oil pan under the transmission cooling line or T-Converter (depending on the method) with the transmission in the neutral gear. Next, start the engine.
Transmission Converter Clutch
Step 3
Method a. Pour New transmission oil inside the dipstick of the transmission. At the same time, allowing the old oil to drain into your waiting bucket. (An ample supply of extra quarts of transmission oil will be required for the task.)
Method b. Skip Step 3. Since, the transmission oil is drain directly from the T-Converter.
Step 4
Method a. Have an Assistant slowly shift the gears in the transmission through each and every gear and at the same time Fresh transmission oil is continued to be poured into the transmission’s dipstick while the engine is running. Make sure the parking brake is on. Essentially, step 4 is recycling the old transmission oil from the transmission and T-Converter and replacing it with new fresh oil.
Transmission Converter Dump
Method b. Skip step 4, since the transmission oil was drained directly from the Torque Converter.
Step 5
Both methods a and b would Test drive the car a few mile and then recheck the transmission oil level, once you are satisfied that the old oil is completely drained from transmission and the transmission is now refilled with new, fresh oil to the appropriate level.
Conclusion:
* The T-Converter’s internal parts spin and turn constantly, while the vehicle is in motion. It is attached to the transmission and is responsible for the motion of the vehicle. It requires clean oil to operate at its best. Maintaining your transmission and T-Converter by flushing the oil regularly will definitely add to the life of the vehicle.
* The best Gas Mileage is attained when the transmission and the engine spins at the Speed. As the oil ages and becomes contaminated with metal shaving, dirt and debris the spinning of the T-Converter can slow down. This results in reduced efficiency of the transmission and T-Converter.
Transmission Torque Converter
* Replacement of the T-Converter may be necessary if it has sustained serious damage. It is in the vehicle’s best interest for the owner to be pro-active with any issue concerning the transmission. Being pro-active can truly save your wallet because a T-Converter replacement is much less costly than overhaul of the entire transmission system.